Ophiomancer — ruling 1

Ophiomancer's ability checks if you control a Snake at the beginning of each upkeep. If you do, the ability won't trigger.

Ophiomancer — ruling 2

Ophiomancer's ability considers any creature you control with the creature type Snake, not just the tokens Ophiomancer creates.

Ophiomancer — ruling 3

If the ability does trigger, but you control a Snake when it tries to resolve, the ability will do nothing. No Snake token will be created.

Ophiomancer : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Ophiomancer is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

At the beginning of each upkeep, if you control no Snakes, create a 1/1 black Snake creature token with deathtouch.

Complete guide

Ophiomancer is a powerful Human Shaman that ensures your board is never without a venomous defender. This card is a staple in sacrifice-based strategies, providing a steady stream of 1/1 Snake tokens with deathtouch during every single upkeep.

Understanding the Trigger

Ophiomancer features an 'intervening if' clause. This means the ability checks two things: first, at the very beginning of an upkeep, it checks if you control any Snakes. If you do, the ability doesn't trigger at all. Second, it checks again as the ability tries to resolve. If you have acquired a Snake in the meantime, the ability does nothing.

Snake Check Mechanics

The game looks for the creature type 'Snake.' This includes the 1/1 black Snake tokens it creates, but also any other creature you control that has the Snake type, such as a Changeling or a naturally occurring Snake creature. As long as your Snake count is zero at the start of an upkeep, you are eligible for a new token.

When to Sacrifice

To maximize Ophiomancer, you should aim to use or sacrifice your Snake token before the next upkeep begins. Since the ability triggers on *each* upkeep (yours and your opponents'), you can potentially generate a new blocker or sacrifice fodder every turn rotation if you manage your board state correctly.

Interaction examples

Basic Token Generation

Snake

At the start of your opponent's upkeep, the game sees you control no Snakes. The ability triggers and resolves, creating a 1/1 black Snake token with deathtouch. During that opponent's combat, you block their attacking Solemn Simulacrum with the Snake. Both die. At the start of your next upkeep, you control no Snakes again, so Ophiomancer creates a new one.

Doubling Up with Roaming Throne

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne enters the battlefield and you choose 'Human', Ophiomancer's ability will trigger an additional time if you control no Snakes. However, the 'intervening if' clause applies to both. The first trigger resolves and creates a Snake. When the second trigger tries to resolve, it sees you now control a Snake, so it does nothing. You will still only get one Snake unless you sacrifice the first one while the second trigger is still on the stack.

Interaction with Other Snakes

Snake

If you control a Snake creature from another source or a previously created token, Ophiomancer's ability will not trigger at the beginning of the upkeep. You must lose control of all Snakes before the upkeep phase begins to receive a new token.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Ophiomancer

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 17, 2013· Wizards of the Coast
Ophiomancer's ability checks if you control a Snake at the beginning of each upkeep. If you do, the ability won't trigger.
Card named in this ruling
Snake
#2October 17, 2013· Wizards of the Coast
Ophiomancer's ability considers any creature you control with the creature type Snake, not just the tokens Ophiomancer creates.
Card named in this ruling
Snake
#3October 17, 2013· Wizards of the Coast
If the ability does trigger, but you control a Snake when it tries to resolve, the ability will do nothing. No Snake token will be created.
Card named in this ruling
Snake